SASANIAN

Founded in 224 CE by Ardashir I [i], the Sasanians grew out of the former Parthian Empire’s footprint [ii] and rapidly reconquered Persian lands [iii]. Financial difficulties following the conquest of Byzantine lands led to the Sasanian Empire’s decline. Late Sasanian rulers overtaxed their citizens to make up for their financial shortfall leading to civil war. The imperial court was distracted by warfare with their internal and external rivals, making it impossible defend themselves from the meteorically rising Muslim Arabs to the south in the early 630s. Though the empire defended northern territory for the following two decades, the Sasanians ultimately fell in 651.

The Sasanian Empire’s major rival was the Byzantine Empire. They were constantly at war throughout the era with sporadic peace treaties that never held for more than a few years. The Chinese were an ally and trading partner of the Sasanians, particularly in the fifth and sixth century. During the Sassanian downfall and eventual collapse, Persian leadership traveled to China [iv] to rally support for a joint reconquering of the lands captured by the Muslim Arabs, but efforts to resuscitate the empire failed. Additionally, the Rashidun Caliphate [v] who defeated the Sasanians were another rival [vi], but only arose in the empire’s final decades.

Iranians today see the Sasanian era as the zenith of Persian culture because of its renaissance of art [vii], poetry [viii], weaving [ix], and architecture [x]. The geometric Islamic and Persian architecture of today has its roots in Sasanian architecture with many buildings worldwide constructed in the style [xi] first pioneered by ancient Persians. The Sasanians were one of the first empires to successfully build a government bureaucracy that drew military forces [xii] under the control of the capital instead of local lords. Kings uniquely balanced the at-odds pursuits of supremacy in diplomatic, military, and artistic spheres; a balance which most governments continue to aspire to today.

The Sasanian Empire was a monarchy built upon feudal patronage networks [xiii] to rule the vast lands at the time. The ruler was known as the “Shahanshah,” or “King of Kings”. The royal family was Zoroastrian, which was the state religion, but King Yazdegerd I [xiv] married a Jewish woman. This was a unique practice for the time and marked the notable religious tolerance of some Sasanian rulers. Much of the Talmud was compiled in Persian lands during the Sasanian Era, as the Holy Land was occupied by the Byzantines, and Christians thrived in some eras even with the empire’s rival being Christian.

Much of our knowledge of Sasanian history comes from coinage [xv]. These coins depict a total of thirty two rulers. Depictions of rulers allow for the cross referencing of artifacts, such as plates, to determine who is depicted. Additionally, the currency allows for chronological organization enabling historians to determine imperial succession and when new lands were conquered. The empire saw two Golden Eras; the first [xvi], led by Shapur II [xvii], lasted through much of the fourth century. The second Golden Era [xviii] encompassed much of the empire’s final century. Though most rulers aimed to take Constantinople, none succeeded in capturing the heavily defended city.

As a state straddling European and Asian lands, the Sasanians played a large role in the accumulation of knowledge across Eurasia. Khosrau I [xix] made great efforts to translate [xx] history from the empire’s many neighbors into Persian, Greek, and other languages. Without these records later acquired by the Arabs, knowledge of ancient history would have significant gaps. Additionally, the Sasanians built great cities [xxi] and irrigation systems [xxii], marking some of the greatest progress in urbanism in the world at the time. Some records indicate that the Sasanian capital, Ctesiphon (near modern Baghdad), may have rivaled [xxiii] Rome’s population at the apex of Sasanian power.

Agriculture was a major component of the Sasanian economy with some irrigation systems still visible today. Silk [xxiv] was another major export after Chinese merchants brought silkworms to Persia. This silk was woven into textiles for garments and rugs that continue to be a highlight of Persian culture today [xxv]. As a power located along the Silk Road, interregional trade was a great component of the Sasanian economy. Many goods purchased from adjacent lands were sold for profit after transiting the broad territory. The discovery of Sasanian coins as far as southern China also indicates the immense span of the empire’s trade network.